Gainesville’s Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches to Feature on Guy Fieri’s Show

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — Guy Fieri, the celebrity chef and host of the Food Network‘s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” is set to showcase Gainesville‘s burgeoning restaurant scene on May 2. Germain’s Chicken Sandwiches, owned by Rodney Germain and his nephew Shelton Seraphin, will be featured on the show, airing at 9 p.m.

Germain, who opened the restaurant in 2022, initially wanted to reach out to Fieri when they launched but hesitated. “Three years later, we got the message from the show and thought it was a prank at first,” Germain said. The restaurant was chosen for its positive local reviews and community engagement.

As part of the preparation, Seraphin submitted the full menu, narrowing it down to six dishes after discussions with Fieri. Ultimately, Fieri selected the The Good Feather, a fried chicken sandwich with a secret sauce and unique toppings, along with Chicken Birria Eggroll.

Filming took place over two days from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Fieri participating on the second day. Seraphin noted the production team was efficient, capturing footage of staff meals and preparation for the episode.

To accommodate the expected influx of customers following the episode, Fieri advised the owners to stock up on ingredients and merchandise. “He told us to make sure we have everything ready for the ‘Triple D’ effect,” Germain said. The celebrity chef also suggested the possibility of expanding Germain’s beyond Gainesville.

Germain expressed excitement about the exposure for Gainesville’s restaurant landscape. “We’re not reinventing sandwiches; we just put our twist on it. Being featured on national TV is a win for Gainesville,” he said.